O’CONNELL FEELS RIGHT AT HOME CALLING SIGNALS FOR HIS BOLTS

There Kevin O’Connell was, a professional quarterback, a New York Jet.

He was no longer the boy who’d go to Chargers games in middle school with his father, cheering for his hometown team at Qualcomm Stadium, wearing a Ryan Leaf jersey.

Still, he couldn’t help himself.

“I (was) always checking the box scores,” O’Connell said, “seeing how the Chargers did. It’s funny how you get to the NFL and you still have your allegiances that you had as a kid. But you’re part of a team now. Whatever team that is, you’re all in.”

That’ll be a natural transition now.

The former San Diego State quarterback is back where he began, signing a one-year contract this week with the Chargers. He’ll return to Qualcomm Stadium today for a public practice from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

O’Connell looked right at home Tuesday in the Chargers locker room.

He’s trained with several current players, including center Nick Hardwick and former college teammates Vincent Brown and Brandyn Dombrowski.

“I caught my first collegiate pass from him at Qualcomm,” Brown said. “That’s going to be fun (tonight) to get out there with him. Hopefully we’ll make some things happen.”

In April, O’Connell flew to Seattle with fullback Jacob Hester, visiting the Seahawks as free agents. The two were part of the same draft class in 2008, becoming friends during the evaluation process.

The La Costa Canyon High graduate was selected by the Patriots but has spent most his career with the Jets.

O’Connell fills in for backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, expected to miss two weeks with an MCL strain. The former Aztec was the team’s third quarterback Tuesday behind undrafted rookie Jarrett Lee, as the veteran gets up to speed with the offensive system.

O’Connell was born in Knoxville, Tenn. When he was 8, his family moved to San Diego in 1995.

“I told coach (Norv) Turner, it’s been four or five years coming,” O’Connell said, “because when I came out (of college), this was the place I wanted to be, obviously living here for as long as I had. It makes it easy to come down and get right to camp. I don’t have to hop on a five-hour flight back east or something.

“At the same time, I take all the emotion out of it. It’s just about working now and trying to help out in any way I can and get better.”

Green the starter

There had been some talk among the Chargers decision makers during the spring that perhaps veteran free agent Rex Hadnot would unseat Tyronne Green as the starting left guard.

It does not appear that will happen.

Turner declared the job to be Green’s less than a week into training camp, even as Hadnot got his first work with the first team toward the end of Tuesday’s practice.

“It was good for Rex to get some snaps with the ones,” Turner said. “He’s a proven player. He’s a good player. Tyronne is our left guard.”

Green, the Chargers’ fourth-round pick in the 2009 draft, started in place of Kris Dielman the final nine games last season after Kris Dielman suffered a season-ending concussion. Dielman retired in March.

Green has played almost every position on the line except center over the past three seasons. That versatility has worked against him, and he has had periods of inconsistency. But he initiated a new diet and exercise routine this offseason with the focus on being Dielman’s successor.

Defense pushes rookie

Mike Harris, the undrafted rookie who could, was knocked down a peg at Tuesday’s practice.

The Chargers tackle worked with the first-string unit for the third straight day. There was no missing, however, his inconsistency in pass protection.

“Mike Harris is a good young prospect,” Turner said. “He got a lot of attention because he was in with the ones on Saturday and Sunday. He also got some attention from our defensive players who competed pretty good against him today. He’s got a lot of work to do, but I’m excited about him.”

Signed in April out of UCLA, Harris has been impressive this offseason.

He stepped in at first-string left tackle after starter Jared Gaither suffered muscle spasms Saturday in the weight room.

Gaither day-to-day.

Turner expressed no concern about the veteran’s missed time, pointing to last year when he was prepared to start a few days after his signing.